Good afternoon,

We know there’s a lot of serious news out there, but today we’re kicking things off on a sweeter note (dessert before the entree?). Mo News is on the ground at the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis. From major brands to startups, there’s no shortage of flavor innovation. Here are a few things that caught our eye:

• 🍫 The viral Dubai chocolate is everywhere

• 🥒 Pickle-flavored everything

• 🍬 Single wrapped gummies are the next best thing

• 🍫 Reese’s has added jelly to the Peanut Butter Cup

• Best in show? Belle's Gourmet Popcorn Matcha Latte Popcorn won for best new innovation. Yes, it exists — and it’s amazing.

Head to our Instagram (and Instagram Premium) for more behind-the-scenes coverage. Now, back to the main course (aka hard news) below.

Mosheh
Mo News Founder & Chief Snack Tester

🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING

Trump Lifts Syria Sanctions On First Day Of High-Stakes Middle East Visit

President Trump kicked off his first major foreign trip of his second term in Saudi Arabia — breaking tradition by visiting Riyadh before any European or North American ally. The first foreign trip of his first term was also to the Gulf kingdom. Since World War II, U.S. presidents have traditionally prioritized visiting more traditional allies in the first foreign trips of their terms.

In a dramatic policy shift, he announced that the U.S. will lift sanctions on Syria, which has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism since 1979. Further sanctions were imposed on the country in 2004 and 2011 when Syria was ruled by dictator Bashar al-Assad. Assad’s regime was overthrown in December by the Islamist fundamentalist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (or HTS), after 14 years of civil war and sustained Israeli military pressure.

WHY NOW?
Trump said that he wants to give the new government a chance to succeed. “I say, good luck, Syria. Show us something special,” he said Tuesday. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey reportedly argued that economic recovery in Syria could reduce regional instability. The president is expected to meet tomorrow with Syria’s new leader, President Ahmed al-Sharaa — the first meeting of the two nations’ leaders in 25 years. Even more remarkable - al-Sharaa remains on the U.S. terrorist list due to his past ties with al-Qaeda and ISIS.

• He’s a former al-Qaeda member and the current head of HTS, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. since 2018.

  • Al-Sharaa, who is also known as al-Jolani, was previously imprisoned in Iraq after the 2003 U.S. invasion and met ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi while in custody.

  • More recently, he has tried to position himself as a moderate figure, including changing his attire and speaking with the New York Times.

His past continues to raise deep concerns among U.S. allies, especially Israel, which has publicly opposed legitimizing the new Syrian government.

SPEAKING OF ISRAEL
Trump reiterated his hope Tuesday that Saudi Arabia will join the Abraham Accords, the normalization deals between Israel and Arab states launched during his first term.

• “It’s my fervent hope, wish and even my dream that Saudi Arabia… will soon be joining the Abraham Accords… but you’ll do it in your own time,” he said.

• Saudi officials have said recognition of Israel is tied to Palestinian statehood. Saudi citizens staunchly oppose joining the Accords, according to polling.

  • The Biden administration tried to incentivize the kingdom to recognize Israel by offering U.S. support for Saudi nuclear development in exchange for Saudi normalizing relations with Israel, but Trump dropped that condition and promised to help build nuclear power plants there even without normalization with Israel.

Trump signed several new agreements with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) for $600 billion. He’s in the region to negotiate deals worth more than $1 trillion.

🚰 An Easy Way To Stay Hydrated

Keeping up with your hydration can be hard. Luckily, LMNT is here to made it easier.

• What it is: LMNT is a tasty electrolyte drink mix that replaces vital electrolytes without sugar, artificial colors, and other dodgy ingredients.

• Who it’s for: LMNT is perfect for athletes, folks who are fasting, or those following keto, low-carb, whole-food, or paleo diets.

Members of the Mo News community can get a free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase if you order through DrinkLMNT.com/MoNews.

🚨 ONE THING THAT’S COMING OUT

Biden’s Team Feared He’d Need A Wheelchair If Re-Elected — Tried To Hide It

President Joe Biden’s physical decline was so severe ahead of the 2024 election that White House aides privately discussed whether he would need a wheelchair if he was reelected. Biden’s doctor warned that the deterioration of his spine was so significant that another fall could make the wheelchair necessary.

The revelations come from CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson’s new book, Original Sin, which is out on May 20.

THE COVERUP
“Biden’s physical deterioration — most apparent in his halting walk — had become so severe that there were internal discussions about putting the president in a wheelchair, but they couldn’t do so until after the election,” the authors write.

• Tapper said Tuesday that Biden’s campaign also concealed signs of cognitive decline.

  • The then-president could not recognize George Clooney at a Democratic fundraiser in Los Angeles during his 2024 campaign. Clooney was co-hosting the event and had known Biden for years, so the president not recognizing him left the Hollywood star “shaken to his core.” Shortly afterward, Clooney wrote an op-ed saying he loved Biden, but it was time for him to step aside.

• It wasn’t until after the 2024 election — which Biden exited 107 days before Election Day — that Democrats were willing to speak openly about the former president’s condition, the Tapper shared.

Harris adviser David Plouffe appeared to go on the record, saying Biden “totally fucked us,” placing full blame on the former president for Democrats losing the White House.

Meanwhile, Biden is on the defense, denying any suggestion of cognitive decline on “The View” last week. Some people say his response only proves the point… Take a look:

REACTIONS
One great thing about the Mo News community is that we get audience reactions to stories right away.

• From some Democrats: Enough of this — let’s focus on Trump’s issues. Plus, he’s still not in a wheelchair.

• From some Republicans: This just proves our point on why we don’t take the media seriously. We’ve ‘known’ about Biden’s issues for years…

⏳ SPEED READ

🚨NATION

📌 Chuck Schumer says he is placing a hold on Trump DOJ nominees amid questions on Qatar's luxury jet gift (NBC) GOP heavyweights join bipartisan bashing of Trump Qatar jet deal (POLITICO)

📌 US egg prices fall for the first time in months but remain near record highs (ABC)

📌 Newark Liberty Airport is safe to fly, United Airlines says (CBS)

📌 RFK Jr. goes swimming with grandchildren in contaminated D.C. creek (NBC)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

📌 Israel targets Hamas leader Mohammad Sinwar in hospital strike in Gaza, sources say (CNN)

📌 Russia, Ukraine set for first direct talks since war began with U.S. present (WASHINGTON POST)

📌 Yasser Arafat's widow helped facilitate channel between Hamas, US to free Edan Alexander (J POST)

📌 Police probe suspicious fire at Keir Starmer’s London home (POLITICO)

📌 American CEOs Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Larry Fink join Trump at Saudi royal court (FOX)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

📌 FDA moves to take prescription fluoride supplements off the market (CNN)

📌 UnitedHealth CEO suddenly steps down for 'personal reasons' (NBC)

📌 AMC to slash movie ticket prices by 50% on Wednesdays (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)

📌 Universe will die "much sooner than expected," new research says, but no need to panic — we have 10 to the power of 78 years before it happens (CBS)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

📌 Cassie testifies against Sean 'Diddy' Combs in sex trafficking case (FOX)

📌 Tory Lanez stabbed 14 times while in prison for Megan Thee Stallion shooting (ABC)

📌 Cannes makes it official: No nudity on the red carpet (AP)

ICYMI FROM THE 📲

In case you missed it… Apple will roll out a series of new features later this year that will make their devices more accessible, including a braille note taker. “Braille Access” is a new feature that will allow iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro users to open any app by typing with a connected braille device or the Braille Screen Input feature on Apple devices.

Other accessibility features include a system-wide reading mode designed to make text easier to read, designed for users with dyslexia, low vision or other disabilities.